| $150 mp3 players vs. iPod nano 4GB - mini review |
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| Written by David Gulley | |||||||||
| Monday, 25 February 2008 | |||||||||
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iPod nano 4GB vs. other Mp3 players - Our mini review
It’s 2008 and we have the iPod nano 3rd generation that plays video like its bigger brothers but is it the best? How does the iPod nano 4gb version stack up against other mp3 players in the same price range? We played with a few other popular mp3 players in the $150 dollar price range listed here:
We would like to start off by listing each in our “favorite” order starting with the Apple iPod nano. Because this is an iPod/iPhone based site it is obvious that we are partial to any Apple iPod products. But this time we want to put it on a level playing field with the other comparable mp3 players.
In 6th place, the Creative Zen V Plus 4GB Black Mp3 player. We gave this mp3 6th place because of the way this Mp3 player handles itself. The navigational joystick was by far the cheapest feeling of all mp3 players in our group. The screen is hard to see outside in bright sunlight, we want to be able to utilize an mp3 outside… reason for having a portable audio device. The good part about the screen on the Creative Zen V Plus was it has an OLED display which is practically viewable from any angle unlike some other small LCD screens. The Zen includes a built in FM radio, voice and line-in recording, photo and video playback, and good support and compatibility for WMA tracks. You can opt out for the bigger 16GB version for a much larger price tag.
The Microsoft Zune 4GB second generation mp3 player comes in at 5th place. This was surprising enough for us because Microsoft is working so hard to catch up to the iPod line with the new Zune line of Mp3 players. The Zune 4GB second gen just falls way too short. First off, with all of the new Mac computers selling at alarming rates, we can’t use the Zune with any of them. The Zune is not compatible with a Mac. There is no support for WMA-DRM9 files, which are older, but still a requirement for a streamlined MP3 player. No EQ. No TV or movie downloads but it does support video playback. The navigation on the Zune is very good with a newly designed software for an interface. The Zune has a good line of colors to choose from. Bottom line, the Zune 4GB version is a lacking and stripped 80GB version hungry to grow up but will never get a fair chance.
In 4th place, The Samsung YP-T9 4GB Black Mp3 player is a strong contender. Samsung has its share of “issues” with some of it’s newer devices. Samsung is sold on its proprietary connectors for each one of it’s devices. That is where the YP-T9 suffers. At times it seems like we were playing with a PDA from years ago because the buttons would not respond quickly. The Samsung YP-T9 is very stylish and has the looks. It is fully featured with video playback, games, and subscription music support. It is a solid contender creeping into iPod territory but still has some room to grow, or should we say, get faster.
The SanDisk Sansa e260R Rhapsody 4GB comes in at a strong 3rd place. SanDisk has been around as a maker of Mp3 players for a long time now and they know how to do it right. The scroll wheel takes a little getting use too if you have ever been spoiled by any recent iPod although it is more like putting an apple against an orange when compared directly to an iPod, they are both fruit, but one is just plain different. The paired software requires a lot of converting of anything transferred to the SanDisk Sansa e260R. One nice feature was the navigational GUI on the SanDisk. it was one of the best we have seen in any non-iPod mp3 player. It is fully packed like the other previous Mp3 players, FM tuner, recorder, removable batter and expansion slot is also a big plus… Apple, are you listening?
The iRiver Clix 4GB second generation comes in at 2nd place. We could not give the iRiver Clix first place because it is not an iPod --- HA HA. The iRiver Clix is an exceelent Mp3 player. With the biggest screen to offer out of all of our reviewed Mp3 players, to it’s long battery life. If you do not like the iPod nano, then this one is your pick. The only thing we think the iRiver Clix is missing is a cradle/dock and a dedicated movie download store. The playback screen reminds us of the iPod’s with album art and a plethora of status read-outs. We would pick this Mp3 player any day if the iPod nano was not available.
First place, of course, our favorite small mp3 player, the Apple iPod nano 3rd generation 4GB version. It goes without being said, this is the best iPod nano yet. Performing the same basic functions as the out-going iPod Video aka iPod 5th generation, this baby allows you to watch full movies on its small but bright screen. Our stickler is just that though, the screen is ever so small. With the cover flow scrolling and metal casing, it makes up for the smaller screen size. If you want a bigger screen you opt for the classic or touch anyway. This is the nano, that means smaller version. The battery life is great but our model seems to have suffered at times watching a full movie. Maybe because it is still only 2 weeks old out of the packaging. Otherwise, our iPod nano rocks. We give it to Apple, they know how to market and have created a great mp3 player coupled with the greatest music store for self appeal (not price). This concludes our mini review of 6 of our best mp3 players that can be purchased for around $150.00.  Quote this article on your site | E-mail
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